Cairo Santos

Grade

Draft Analysis:

5'8" Height

28 1/2" Arm Length

164LBS. Weight

8 7/8" Hands

Overview

Born in Brazil. Came to the United States as a foreign exchange student in Florida. Was a three-year letterman who played wide receiver in addition to kicking. Led the team in scoring as a true freshman in 2010 after connecting on 13 of 16 field goals with a long of 39 and 32 of 33 extra-point attempts. Also had 57 kickoffs for a 59.1-yard average and one touchback. In 2011, made 11 of 18 FGs with a long of 59 yards and 33 of 34 PATs; also had 16 kickoffs for a 62.6-yard average and no touchbacks and 15 punts for a 41.0-yard average with a long of 54 and eight kicks inside the 20-yard line. Won the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best kicker in 2012 after making 21 of 21 FG attempts and 26 of 27 PATs. Also had 55 kickoffs for a 64.1-yard average and 31 touchbacks. Was a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2013 after making 16 of 23 FGs with a long of 56 and all 38 PATs; had 62 kickoffs for a 64.4-yard average and 47 touchbacks. Tragedy struck in September when his father was killed while performing an airplane stunt in Brazil.

Analysis

Strengths

Takes a consistent approach and is consistenly accurate from inside 50 with range to 60 yards. Good leg speed. Has shown he can handle pressure and come through in the clutch -- converted game-winning kicks vs. North Texas and East Carolina in back-to-back weeks. Good work ethic. Four-year starter. Can serve as an emergency punter.

Weaknesses

Tiny-framed. Average rise and lift. Marginal follow-through. Lacks power to drive the ball on kickoffs. Could stand to speed up his approach. Placement and hang-time on kickoffs has room for improvement. Benefited from kicking indoors.

Draft Projection

Round 7-Priority free agent

Bottom Line

Brazilian-born, right-footed, 3-by-2, soccer-style kicker captured the Lou Groza award after converting all 21 field goals as a junior and has gradually improved his leg strength.
-Nolan Nawrocki